Guiding Principles of
Balanced Literacy Instruction
Credit: Microsoft Images & Creative Commons Woodleywonderworks
Balanced literacy instruction is based on the following guiding principles:
- It incorporates the gradual release of responsibility model, in which the student gradually becomes secure, independent and responsible for his/her own learning;
- The eight key elements are: modeled reading, modeled writing, shared reading, shared writing, guided reading, guided writing, independent reading and independent writing;
- Emphasis is on building independence and supporting differentiation;
- It provides a balance of explicit instruction of skills and strategies for authentic reading and writing experiences;
- It integrates instruction in order to provide students plenty of opportunities to apply these skills and strategies;
- It is useful in conceptualizing and is aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for teaching language and literacy in the primary grades;
- It emphasizes oral language across the curriculum, working with letters and words, integrated themes, observation, assessment and role of parent/guardian and school partnership;
- It exemplifies best practice in education because it is research-based instruction.